Alameda Striped Whipsnake
Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus
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- M. l. euryxanthus – Contra Costa Co, CA – photo by Gary Nafis
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- M. l. euryxanthus – Contra Costa Co, CA – photo by Gary Nafis
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Masticophis l. euryxanthus occurs only in California in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties on the eastern side of San Francisco Bay.
LEGAL STATUS: Masticophis l. euryxanthus is listed by the U. S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) as a Threatened Species.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus (Reimer – 1954)
Genus: Masticophis, Greek – mastix = whip + ophis = snake, serpent
Species: lateralis, Latin = the side of – ref. lateral stripes
Subspecies: euryxanthus, Greek – eurys = wide, broad + xanthos = yellow – ref. striping
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jeager 1962